Haven Bridge 'blockade' costing firms millions of pounds

The operators of one of Norfolk's major river crossings are refusing to open it to allow boats to pass, with one marine business saying the ongoing blockade has cost it £2m.

Peel Ports, which runs Great Yarmouth's Haven Bridge, is facing a rising tide of anger after it stopped opening for river traffic last month.

The firm has given businesses and boaters little explanation for its decision and no indication of when the crossing may open again.

Sue Goodchild, from Goodchild Marine, said the situation was "an absolute debacle" and had caused the company more than £2m in trade and pay for costly diversions.

Norfolk County Council, which owns the bridge, has been in talks with Peel Ports about resolving the issue, but these have so far failed.

A view from Breydon Bridge, looking towards Haven Bridge in Great Yarmouth (Image: Newsquest)

BRIDGE BLOCKADE

The bridge carries one of the main roads into Yarmouth across the Yare.

The river allows boats to travel between the Norfolk Broads and the North Sea.

Because the bridge is relatively low, vessels can only pass safely when the bridge is open.

Peel Ports has a statutory duty to operate the crossing, allowing navigation, on behalf of Norfolk County Council.

But the 94-year-old crossing has been plagued by problems since 2018 when faults caused it to malfunction.

An extensive £1.2m repair project was launched but was marred by long delays, during which boats were unable to pass.

Richard Goffin, director of Peel Ports, which manages Great Yarmouth Port (Image: Newsquest)

The project ended up taking three years and the bridge was only able to open again in December. 

But there was a catch as Peel Ports said it would only open twice a day - at 10am and 2pm - and it introduced a £20 transit fee each way.

That decision caused uproar among the seafaring boating community.

Boaters raised concerns that the restrictions meant vessels had to tackle the challenging passage at times when the tides increased the risks of doing so.

Then, on April 9, Peel Ports shut the bridge completely.

RIVER RIFT

At the time, it issued a statement blaming a "health and safety concern".

It has given no further details, but it follows an incident in February when a malfunction during an opening/closing caused the bridge to be closed to drivers and pedestrians.

Frustrated bridge users began jumping barriers and walking onto the road.

Following the incident, Richard Goffin, director of Peel Ports, said his staff were facing frequent abuse and called on extra security to be brought in when the bridge is open.

Haven Bridge was only opening twice a day following the completion of three-year repairs in December 2023 (Image: Broom Owners Club)

It is not clear if this is related to the health and safety concern at the centre of the latest dispute.

A spokesman for Peel Ports said: “The key issue here is the safety of those who use the river and the bridge, and some members of the public have rightly expressed concerns about this.

"We are unable to comment on the reasons why the bridge has been out of action, as this is a matter for NCC as the owner of the bridge.

“We’re supporting NCC by not lifting the bridge to ensure safety as the highest priority.”

Repairs being carried out on Haven Bridge (Image: Newsquest)

NCC has not directly said the issue relates to safety but that it is discussing "procedural aspects" of the bridge's operation.

A spokesman said: "We had a meeting with Peel Ports on May 9 but, unfortunately, the issue remains unresolved. We understand this is a source of frustration for many river users."

NCC reiterated that Peel Ports has a statutory duty to operate the bridge as per two acts of parliament which were made in 1866 and 1925.

Sources say that the costs of lifting the bridge are also an issue in the dispute.

Alan and Sue Goodchild from Goodchild Marine at Burgh Castle (Image: Newsquest)

BOATERS AT BREAKING POINT

Mrs Goodchild, who runs Goodchild Marine with her husband Alan, said the pair have resisted speaking out publicly before in the hope of a resolution but they are now at their wit's end. 

The firm, based at Burgh Castle, about four miles from Haven Bridge, has faced several years of difficulty in testing the vessels they build - ranging from lifeboats to commercial working boats - in open sea due to the closure during the repairs.

They estimate it has cost the business £2m in loss of trade due to customers going elsewhere over the last five years.

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The Goodchild Marine site in Burgh Castle (Image: Newsquest)

Navigating around the bridge closure has also hit their pockets, forcing them to spend approximately £350,000 in extra costs.

"We have survived Brexit, the war on Ukraine, the cost of living crisis, but now just because one person can’t press a button we are facing huge problems" said Mrs Goodchild, adding: "It feels like we are being held hostage."

"Only opening the bridge twice a day has huge financial implications for us. if someone were to say you can only cross the A47 into Great Yarmouth twice a day there would be uproar but for us boaters, no one cares.

"It doesn't leave us with enough time to test our boats out at sea.

Goodchild Marine design and build a range of seafaring vessels, including lifeboats (Image: Newsquest)

"We have worked tirelessly with Peel Ports, with NCC, have been to numerous meetings and tried to get our point across.  All we get is lip service.

"It is not just a loss of business for us but for Great Yarmouth itself. We know of five companies who are going north to Hull because the situation with Peel Ports is so challenging."

Peel Ports has complained staff have faced abuse from members of the public when the highway is closed to allow it to open (Image: Newsquest)

'ABSOLUTE DEBACLE'

The matter has become an increasing concern for the Broads Authority, which is responsible for ensuring the Norfolk Broads remains navigable for boat users.

At a recent meeting, John Packman, chief executive, said the situation was "causing lots of difficulties" for commercial and private boat users and urged for a resolution to be found.

For Mrs Goodchild, she has been left bewildered that the warring parties were not able to come to an agreement during the years it was closed for repairs.

"It is an absolute debacle," she said, adding: "The stupidity of it all is that they had plenty of time to figure it out."